MASSACHUSETTS HARDSHIP LICENSE

FIRST OFFENSE OUI HARDSHIP LICENSE APPLICATIONS TO THE REGISTRY OF MOTOR VEHICLES

The following is information regarding the availability of hardship licenses for people whose OUI cases have been disposed of in court pursuant to MGLc.90,s.24D. Please be advised that this information is being provided solely for the purpose of allowing a defendant to better prepare for their hardship hearing before appearing at a Registry, and that the Registry may require other documents or information before rendering a decision. At a minimum, please be aware of the following:

Hardship licenses are available on any case where a defendant has been properly granted a disposition under MGL c.90, s24D. The Registrar will not entertain requests in cases where the records of the agency reflect that such a disposition was not available to the defendant.

In order to allow for the courts and the Registry to exchange information regarding these dispositions,

hardship applicants must wait 3 business days after their court date before appearing at the Registry, and MUST first have appeared for in-take at their assigned first offender program.

Example: On a court disposition on Monday, you may not appear at the Registry until Thursday.

Hardship applications may only be made at Registry locations that conduct hearings. Presently, those branches are: Boston (630 Washington Street), Brockton, North Attleboro, Lowell, Worcester, Springfield and Lawrence. Theses locations are subject to change without notice.

You may not operate a motor vehicle until such time a hardship license may be granted. Any evidence that you have been drinking since you have been suspended in this matter will be grounds for denial of your application.

You must provide the following documentation at the hearing:

: Proof of hardship (i.e. employment, education, medical, etc.)

: Proof of enrollment in a Massachusetts First Offender Program approved by the Department of Public Health. No out of state programs authorized by MGL c.90, s24D. You must first appear at the first offenders program that you have been assigned to for your initial interview, and have that documented on letterhead from the program.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Hardship licenses are not available under this law if you are suspended or revoked for any reason apart from this case, if charges other than OUI in this case cause you to be suspended or revoked, or if these charges combined with other incidents on your driving record result in other suspension or revocation action.

For assistance with this or any other legal problem contact Attorney Richard Sweeney at 617-328-6900 or at RSweeney@Rsweeneylaw.com